Kelechi Osemele, Kolton Miller both re-injure knees as Raiders give up 7 sacks to 49ers

Derek Carr was sacked 20 times all last season. He has now been sacked 23 times in eight games this season, including six times tonight (7 overall). And it may get worse before it gets better because the left side of the Raiders offensive line took two huge blows tonight.

Left tackle Kolton Miller returned from the bye week appearing to finally be fully recovered from a knee injury that had him giving up six sacks in the two previous games. He re-injured that knee in this one and didn’t return for the second half.

Left guard Kelechi Osemele was playing for the first time in a month, coming off a similar knee injury. With Miller out, Osemele was moved outside where he immediately gave up a sack on Derek Carr. After the game, Jon Gruden announced that Osemele had re-injured his knee as well.

I didn’t think the Raiders would activate Osemele being that he wasn’t well enough to go last Sunday and it was a short week. Add that Jon Feliciano filled in well against the Colts, and it seemed there was no need to risk re-injury. But the Raiders decisions defy logic these days and he was not only the starter, but then played out of position on a sketchy knee. If that’s not a recipe for disaster I don’t know what is.

Osemele moving outside to left tackle was a serious desperation move for the Raiders who last week lost reserve TJ Clemmings for the season. They brought back former 4th round pick David Sharpe Thursday, claiming him off waivers from the Texans, but that move won’t be official until Friday.

The way this is going, Sharpe may just be the starting left tackle by next Sunday with Jon Feliciano next to him at left guard against the Chargers. What a mess.